School of Agriculture

WIU Allison Organic Farm Field Day

The 2015 WIU/Allison Organic Farm field day will take place on Thursday, August 13th at the Dakin and Allison Farms in southwest Warren County, Illinois. Presentations related to this year's theme, New Opportunities in Organic Farming, will begin at the Dakin Farm at 9 a.m. The keynote presentation First Generation Organics on a Multi-Generation Farm will begin at 11 a.m. and will be delivered by Andy Ambriole, an innovative young farmer who manages 800 acres organically out of the family's 2000 acres near Roanoke, IN. This presentation will be of interest to any farmer interested in enterprise diversification for higher profits, healthier soil and successful generational transition.

In addition, Doug Kremer (http://terramax.co) will discuss the present and future of biological seed treatments (including N fixation by non-legumes), Ken Musselman (http://agrienergy.net/) will discuss biological nutrient management and Dr. Joel Gruver, Director of the Organic Research Program at Western Illinois University, will share recent research results and lead a discussion of the presentations. Dedicated time for attendees to meet with presenters and vendors will be provided from 8:30-9:00 a.m., 10:45-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-1:30 p.m.

A free lunch featuring local farm products will be served at noon. After lunch, a walking tour of the Allison Farm's research and demonstration plots (corn, soybeans, pumpkins and cover crops with different tillage systems, fertility programs, seed treatments and cultivation practices) will begin at 1:30 p.m. and include an equipment demonstration if weather permits.

Following the field day all attendees are invited to attend the Illinois Organic Growers Association's summer festival at the Allison Farm. The festival will include dinner, live music and dance to celebrate the season and grow farmer relationships.

Registration for the filed day and IOGA festival before the end of the business day on Monday, 8/10/15, is strongly recommended but not required.

Contact

To register or obtain more information about the field day: Andy Clayton at AW-Clayton@wiu.edu, (309) 298-1172 or (217) 322-2639 or the WIU School of Agriculture Main Office (309) 298-1080.

To register or obtain more information about the IOGA festival: Marnie Record at illinoisorganicgrowers@gmail.com or (864) 704-5783.

Directions to the Dakin Farm shop - 130 20th St., Roseville, IL 61473

If arriving from the north, travel on Rt. 67 five miles south of the Rt. 67 and Rt. 116 intersection in Roseville to County Rd. 20th Ave. N, then turn west and travel four miles on 20th Ave. to the south-east corner of the Allison Farm (intersection of 20th Ave. and 20th St.). Turn left and proceed south 0.7 miles on 20th St. to the Dakin Farm shop.

If arriving from the south, travel on Rt. 67 seven miles north of the Rt. 67 and Rt. 9 intersection in Good Hope to County Rd. 20th Ave. N (2 miles north of the Warren County line), then turn west and travel four miles on 20th Ave. to the south-east corner of the Allison Farm (intersection of 20th Ave. and 20th St.). Turn left and proceed south 0.7 miles on 20th St. to the Dakin Farm shop.

The Allison farm is located 0.7 miles north of the Dakin Farm. Signs will be posted.